3. Melbourne
In: Max Heath (St Kilda/commerce); Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn/commerce); Brody Mihocek (Collingwood/commerce); Jack Steele (St Kilda/commerce); Picks 7, 8, 37, 71; 2026 first-round choose (Gold Coast) and third-round choose (GWS); 2027 third-round choose (Gold Coast)
Out: Clayton Oliver (GWS/commerce); Christian Petracca (Gold Coast/commerce); Charlie Spargo (North Melbourne/free company); Judd McVee (Fremantle/commerce); Picks 28, 61; 2026 second-round, third-round and fourth-round picks; 2027 third-round and fourth-round picks
Draft picks: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71, 84, 102
Trade grade: B+
Melbourne have been one of many busiest golf equipment beneath new coach Steven King. The Suns absorbed all of Petracca’s hefty contract and have been keen handy over three first-round alternatives in that deal. However, the Demons stumped up about half of the cash left on the 5 years remaining on Oliver’s deal to get the Giants . They made a late determination to recruit ex-Saints skipper Steele, who they hope will change some grunt and expertise on a three-year deal. Melbourne additionally put Steven May up for commerce in a cultural overhaul, however there have been no takers. He has a 12 months remaining on his deal. McVee was one participant they didn’t wish to lose, however he accepted a four-year deal on the Dockers, which noticed the Demons commerce in Hawthorn’s dashing defender Jiath. Spargo was a minor loss, however Mihocek will likely be a useful veteran addition for his or her much-maligned assault, and Heath might be Max Gawn’s successor.
4. Carlton
In: Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast/commerce); Campbell Chesser (West Coast/commerce); Oliver Florent (Sydney/commerce); Will Hayward (Sydney/commerce); Liam Reidy (Fremantle/commerce); Picks 9, 11, 43, 54, 67, 72; 2026 and 2027 first-round picks (Sydney)
Out: Charlie Curnow (Sydney/commerce), Corey Durdin (Port Adelaide/commerce); Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni (St Kilda/free company); Picks 10, 22, 41, 50, 68, 2026 second-round and third-round picks, 2027 second-round choose
Draft picks: 9, 11, 43, 54, 67, 72, 87, 105
Trade grade: B+
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The Blues will miss Curnow in assault, however they scored a monster return from Sydney of three first-round alternatives throughout the subsequent three drafts, plus Hayward, who they needed when he was a free agent final 12 months. Geelong had a tilt first, however Carlton rejected their supply of three first-round picks, all of which have been modest. The Blues recast their listing with a number of low-profile acquisitions, together with Chesser, Ainsworth, Reidy and Florent, however have been unable to appease the Bulldogs for contracted utility Buku Khamis. The free company losses of De Koning and Silvagni weren’t very best, however it will have been unwise to match St Kilda’s outrageous contracts for them.
5. St Kilda
In: Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni (Carlton/free company); Sam Flanders (Gold Coast/commerce); Liam Ryan; 2027 third-round choose (West Coast), 2027 third-round and fourth-round picks (Melbourne)
Out: Max Heath (Melbourne/commerce); Jack Steele (Melbourne/commerce); Pick 7; 2026 second-round choose
Draft picks: 50, 65, 86, 104
Trade grade: B+
The Saints have been patting one another on the again once they secured Carlton free brokers Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, Gold Coast midfielder Sam Flanders and West Coast ahead Liam Ryan quickly after commerce interval began. But they tarnished their fame once they walked away from Giants defender Leek Aleer mid-trade interval with no logical motive for doing so. Clearly, St Kilda didn’t wish to pay for him, however they used the excuse of not having sufficient picks when everybody knew that they had the choice of strolling him by the pre-season draft. The Saints put skipper Jack Steele up for commerce, and he ended up at Melbourne on deadline day, whereas they prolonged future captain Callum Wilkie’s tenure and gave him a pay rise. They held agency on Rowan Marshall, who will type a ruck tandem with De Koning, regardless of a number of Geelong makes an attempt to lure him.
6. West Coast
In: Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane Lions/commerce); Tylar Young (Richmond/commerce); Picks 2, 13, 34, 41, 53; 2026 second-round choose
Out: Oscar Allen (Brisbane Lions/free company); Campbell Chesser (Carlton/commerce); Liam Ryan (St Kilda/commerce); Picks 17, 23, 24 and 38; 2027 third-round choose
Draft picks: 1, 2, 13, 34, 41, 53, 58, 80, 98
Trade grade: B
Starcevich and Oscar Allen’s compensation choose (No.2) have been the Eagles’ two large prizes prior to now fortnight. They efficiently brokered a commerce with the Lions, with Fremantle’s assist, for Starcevich, to keep away from diluting Allen’s free company compensation. That means they personal the primary two picks on this 12 months’s draft as they attempt to speed up their rebuild. Young had an excellent end to the season for Richmond, however they paid extra for the tall defender than they acquired for 2021 first-round draftee Chesser.
7. Sydney
In: Charlie Curnow (Carlton/commerce); Malcolm Rosas jnr (Gold Coast/commerce); Jai Serong (Hawthorn/commerce); Picks 31, 42, 63; 2026 third-round choose (Carlton); 2026 third-round choose (Collingwood); 2026 fourth-round choose (Hawthorn); 2027 second-round choose (Carlton)
Out: Jack Buller (Collingwood/commerce); Oliver Florent (Carlton/commerce); Will Hayward (Carlton/commerce); Picks 11, 52 and 70; 2026 first-round, third-round and fourth-round picks; 2027 first-round choose
Draft picks: 31, 32, 42, 63, 88, 106
Trade grade: B
The Swans focused and secured Carlton’s twin Coleman medallist Curnow as their latest rockstar ahead, behind Tony Lockett, Barry Hall and Lance Franklin. But at what value? They not solely coughed up a mammoth haul of three first-round picks, plus Hayward, however might have taken a tradition hit. James Rowbottom’s identify had swirled in commerce rumours for some time, however it grew to become clear throughout the commerce interval that it was not his doing. Sydney additionally successfully compelled shut mates Hayward and Florent out of their desperation to recruit Curnow, which angered some gamers. The Swans did this to win a flag, and in the event that they achieve this, it can all be price it. But Curnow comes with harm threat and if he performs under par, and even his previous lofty requirements, this commerce might significantly backfire. Rosas jnr and Serong are undervalued additions, whereas Buller was surplus to plans up ahead.
8. Geelong
In: James Worpel (Hawthorn/free company); Pick 99
Out: Patrick Retschko (Richmond/commerce)
Draft picks: 19, 40, 60, 78, 96, 99, 114
Trade grade: B
Geelong provided Carlton choose 19 and their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 for Charlie Curnow, however they weren’t ready to make established gamers Connor O’Sullivan, Max Holmes or Ollie Dempsey a part of any deal. Carlton rapidly rejected the gathering of picks on supply. The Cats’ different fundamental goal was St Kilda ruckman Marshall. They provided choose 19 on the primary day of commerce interval however have been battling to curiosity the Saints in buying and selling the contracted Marshall, who’s prone to play second fiddle behind free-agent acquisition De Koning. The Cats had one other go on deadline day, however nonetheless couldn’t get it achieved. They landed free agent Worpel to offer them a big-bodied midfielder to enhance their exterior runners and assist Tom Atkins in a savvy transfer.
9. Fremantle
In: Judd McVee (Melbourne/commerce); Picks 20, 47, 69, 103
Out: Will Brodie (Port Adelaide/commerce); Liam Reidy (Carlton/commerce); Picks 13, 34, 45, 54, 72
Draft picks: 20, 47, 69, 90, 103, 108
Trade grade: B
Fremantle focused Melbourne defender McVee from a good distance out, they usually acquired their man with loads of time to spare within the commerce interval. Raised in Geraldton, McVee performed each colts and reserves for East Fremantle, and a commerce to the Dockers is a dream come true. He will add velocity and fashionable ball use, however it was nonetheless a comparatively quiet commerce interval for a group that should get transferring in its hunt for a flag. Back-up ruckman Reidy was allowed to depart for an comprehensible lack of alternative behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy.
10. Western Bulldogs
In: Connor Budarick (Gold Coast/commerce); Picks 14, 70, 74
Out: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Gold Coast/commerce); Pick 12
Draft picks: 14, 33, 70, 74, 89, 107
Trade grade: B
The Ugle-Hagan and Bulldogs relationship soured and each side wanted to maneuver on. The win right here was shedding about $800,000 per 12 months from their books.
An enormous supply to St Kilda star Callum Wilkie was not sufficient for him to interrupt contract and head to the Dogs, however it did power the Saints to revise his deal and add two extra years to his contract. The Bulldogs traded in Suns utility Budarick for choose 37, after transferring again a few spots within the first spherical to safe that choice in a choose swap with the Giants. They refused to half with contracted defender Khamis regardless of him eager to play for the Blues. But the Doggies didn’t land a key defender, deciding they needed solely to recruit an A-grader fairly than simply including one to their listing for the sake of it. James O’Donnell, Rory Lobb and Jedd Busslinger needs to be enough for now. It was a quieter commerce interval from a membership that has grabbed a fair proportion of headlines right now in earlier years.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is trying ahead to a recent begin on the Gold Coast.Credit: Eddie Jim
11. Brisbane Lions
In: Oscar Allen (West Coast/free company), Sam Draper (Essendon/free company); Picks 17, 23, 44, 51, 59; 2026 third-round choose (Melbourne)
Out: Brandon Starcevich (commerce); picks 19, 45, 46, 52 and 56
Draft picks: 17, 23, 44, 51, 59, 68, 79, 97, 115
Trade grade: B-
The Lions opted to lose Callum Ah Chee for nothing fairly than settle for what they thought-about an unsuitable supply from Adelaide for his or her two-time premiership ahead. Ah Chee, who’s out of contract, is headed to the pre-season draft. Most of Brisbane’s work was achieved early. They labored with the Eagles and Fremantle to commerce picks that allowed them to safe a commerce for departing free agent Starcevich. The Lions had already nabbed free brokers Allen and Draper after their premiership win. Deven Robertson will depart as a delisted free agent, so the Eagles can add him to their expanded rookie listing. The membership needed to build up picks to safe academy graduate Daniel Annable.
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12. Hawthorn
In: Picks 10, 22; 2026 fourth-round choose (Melbourne), 2026 third-round choose (Sydney)
Out: James Worpel (Geelong/free company); Changkuoth Jiath (Melbourne/commerce); Jai Serong (Sydney/commerce); Picks 9, 31, 2026 fourth-round choose
Draft picks: 10, 22, 62, 76, 94, 112
Trade grade: B-
The Hawks made an aggressive play for Essendon captain Zach Merrett that finally fell quick. Merrett was determined to cross to Waverley Park, and the golf equipment have been nonetheless going forwards and backwards within the last half an hour, however Hawthorn have been unwilling to fulfill the Bombers’ demand of 4 first-rounders and a second-rounder. Worpel had fallen down the midfield pecking order, however continues to be a free company loss, whereas Jiath and Serong have been clearly not in Sam Mitchell’s long-term plans. The Hawks scored Carlton’s Silvagni compensation choose (22) for sliding again one spot within the high 10 of this 12 months’s draft.
13. Adelaide
In: Finnbar Maley (North Melbourne/commerce); Pick 64
Out: Pick 57; 2026 fourth-round choose
Draft picks: 16, 48, 55, 64, 73, 75, 93, 111
Trade grade: B-
The Crows didn’t dealer a commerce with Brisbane for twin premiership-winning ahead Ah Chee, however he’s out of contract – and his agent, Ben Williams, stated there was “zero probability” he would return to the Lions. Instead, Ah Chee will be a part of Adelaide within the pre-season draft, assuming one other membership doesn’t bounce in first. The Crows did add North Melbourne ruck-forward Finnbar Maley, who performed seven matches with the Kangaroos, and exchanged late picks that interrupted their face-off with Brisbane over Ah Chee. The Lions needed a first-round choose, however the Crows wouldn’t budge on their supply of a future second-round choice, given his age and position.
14. Essendon
In: Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast/commerce); Pick 21
Out: Sam Draper (Brisbane Lions/free company); 2026 third-round choose
Draft picks: 5, 6, 21, 27, 30, 83, 101
Trade grade: C+
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The Bombers’ commerce interval will likely be remembered for what they didn’t commerce – disgruntled however contracted captain Merrett. Essendon continued to take care of within the lead-up to deadline day that they’d not commerce him beneath any circumstances, however they softened barely to at the very least let Hawthorn know what it will take. The demand was huge: 4 first-round picks and a cherry-on-top second-round choice in return for the six-time membership champion. The Hawks by no means significantly contemplated doing that, however made vital provides based mostly round picks and Henry Hustwaite. Losing ruckman Draper was not very best, however they did safe Fiorini for a future third-rounder to fill a wing spot.
15. Collingwood
In: Jack Buller (Sydney/commerce); Picks 45, 56, 61; 2026 fourth-round choose (Sydney)
Out: Brody Mihocek (Collingwood/commerce); Picks 59, 71
Draft picks: 39, 45, 56, 61, 77, 95, 113
Trade grade: C+
This was a commerce interval of whiffs for the Magpies. Collingwood made a suggestion to Carlton free agent Silvagni; coach Craig McRae spoke to Sydney’s James Rowbottom; and listing supervisor Justin Leppitsch made a half-hearted effort to get Oliver. They then pivoted to North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin, however their supply of a 2027 first-round choose and one other choice within the 40s didn’t come near tempting the Roos. The Pies had a win in retaining Jamie Elliott, who was near becoming a member of Gold Coast, however misplaced veteran Mihocek to Melbourne, albeit it was a transfer most Collingwood followers applauded. Ex-Swan Buller is successfully Mihocek’s alternative. Collingwood have been open to golf equipment approaching Jordan De Goey, and hoped the Saints may chunk with a top-10 choose, however they have been additionally glad to retain the matchwinner.
16. Port Adelaide
In: Will Brodie (Fremantle/commerce); Corey Durdin (Carlton/commerce); Jacob Wehr (GWS/free company); 2026 second-round choose (Carlton)
Out: Picks 29, 67, 103
Draft picks: 49, 85
Trade grade: C
For a membership that’s simply completed thirteenth and altered coaches, it’s been an equally uninspiring commerce interval for Port. They introduced in three gamers who’ve upside, however are unlikely to considerably transfer the needle in Wehr, Durdin and Brodie. Durdin, a South Australian native, is 23 and has proven flashes of brilliance throughout his time at Carlton, whereas Brodie, who began his profession at Gold Coast, has demonstrated he could be a more-than-competent midfielder during times on the Dockers, together with his finest season in 2022 when his new coach Josh Carr was Fremantle’s midfield coach.
17. Richmond
In: Patrick Retschko (Geelong/commerce); Pick 38
Out: Tylar Young (West Coast/commerce); Pick 99
Draft picks: 3, 4, 38, 81
Trade grade: C
The Tigers have been lively early and late, however have been in any other case silent for the overwhelming majority of the commerce interval. Defender Young headed to West Coast in alternate for choose 38, and Richmond pulled off a mini-shock on deadline day, snaring comparatively unknown rookie Cat Retschko for choose 99. Taken within the rookie draft in 2024, Retschko hasn’t performed at AFL degree but, however is thought for his endurance and agility, and was a strong VFL performer. The Tigers had an enormous draft final 12 months after dropping some skilled stars, and they’re keen to let the youngsters develop organically beneath coach Adem Yze.
18. North Melbourne
In: Charlie Spargo (Melbourne/free company); Pick 57; 2026 fourth-round choose (Adelaide)
Out: Finnbar Maley; Pick 64
Draft picks: 25, 26, 46, 57, 82, 100
Trade grade: D+
They made a robust play for St Kilda’s Marcus Windhager and Gold Coast’s Budarick, however couldn’t entice them to affix. Windhager stayed on the Saints, whereas Budarick selected the Bulldogs. They added Spargo as an unrestricted free agent, and by no means got here near contemplating Collingwood’s bid to lure contracted skipper Simpkin, who was sad together with his midfield time. Simpkin seems prone to lose the captaincy after making an attempt to power his means out. North have been comfy buying and selling uncontracted forward-ruck Maley. Without a first-round choose on this 12 months’s draft, it has been an uninspiring commerce interval from the perennial cellar-dwellers.
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